Radiological changes of the hands in systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Scleroderma Research

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities.
• Hand involvement is common in systemic sclerosis, impacting patient quality of life.
• Radiographic changes can indicate disease severity and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the spectrum of radiological findings in the hands of patients with systemic sclerosis.
• To identify common pathological changes associated with the disease.
• To assess the utility of hand radiography in managing systemic sclerosis.

Main Methods:

• Hand X-rays were performed on 41 patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis.
• Radiological findings were systematically analyzed for various pathological changes.
• Data on specific findings such as calcifications, atrophy, and bone resorption were recorded.

Main Results:

• Pathological changes were observed in 39 out of 41 patients (95%).
• Frequent findings included subcutaneous calcifications (18 patients), finger pulp atrophy (11 patients), and ungual tuft resorption (11 patients).
• Other noted changes were juxta-articular osteoporosis (9 patients), erosive arthropathy (8 patients), osteoarthritis (10 patients), and generalized osteoporosis (7 patients).

Conclusions:

• Radiological hand examinations are highly sensitive in detecting pathology in systemic sclerosis.
• The findings underscore the high prevalence of bone and soft tissue abnormalities in the hands of these patients.
• Regular radiological assessment of the hands is recommended for monitoring disease progression and guiding treatment.